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Sarah Furness is a distinguished keynote speaker renowned for her expertise in leadership and performance under pressure. Drawing from her extensive 21-year career as a combat helicopter pilot and Squadron Leader in the Royal Air Force (RAF), she offers audiences profound insights into thriving amidst adversity. Her unique blend of military experience and mindfulness coaching equips individuals and organisations with strategies to excel in high-stress environments.
After graduating from Cambridge University, Sarah pursued her ambition of becoming a combat helicopter pilot in the RAF. She broke new ground by becoming the first female helicopter pilot to fly and lead UK Special Forces missions in Iraq. Her leadership extended to operational combat tours in both Iraq and Afghanistan, where she honed her skills in decision-making and team coordination under fire. These experiences laid the foundation for her transition into a sought-after speaker and coach.
In recent years, Sarah has achieved significant milestones, including authoring the No.1 best-selling book “Fly Higher: Train Your Mind to Feel as Strong as You Look,” published in 2022. She has also developed the Healthy Automatic Behaviours In Threatening Scenarios (HABITS) approach, a methodology designed to help individuals maintain composure and effectiveness under pressure. Her expertise has been showcased at prominent events, such as the National 2023 Sales Conference, where she shared her insights on leadership and resilience.
Organisations hire Sarah for her unparalleled ability to translate battlefield lessons into actionable strategies for the corporate world. Her presentations are not only captivating but also provide practical tools that leaders and teams can implement immediately to enhance performance and resilience. Sarah’s authentic and relatable style, combined with her proven track record, makes her an invaluable asset for those seeking to navigate challenges and lead with confidence.
Sarah Furness is regularly booked to engage audiences at events, read their latest feedback below:
“The standout moment for me was Sarah Furness’ keynote speech on leadership, where she drew on her experience as a Puma pilot flying in conflict zones. Obviously, the storms that Sarah faced in her career were quite different to those that Donald Millar and I face, but her thoughts on leadership do translate from the battlefield to the exciting world of UK Real Estate! With a flight to the UAE coming up, I’m looking forward to delving into her book Fly Higher.”
“The highlight of the afternoon was a keynote session by Sarah Furness, a former RAF combat helicopter pilot and Squadron Leader. Sarah shared her experiences of embracing vulnerability and thriving in uncertainty – valuable takeaways for all our resilient leaders”
“If you’re looking for an inspiring yet credible and relatable speaker Sarah Furness is the woman you want. Sarah takes the time to understand her audience so she can tailor her key messages and takeaways for people to take back to their day jobs. It’s impossible to listen to Sarah’s stories and experiences and not be motivated to trust yourself and your decisions more.”
“Sarah’s keynote at our National Sales Conference, speaking to 700 sale professionals, was truly captivating. Drawing from her remarkable career as a Combat helicopter pilot and Squadron Leader in the RAF, Sarah delivered a session that provided invaluable insights on gaining a competitive edge ‘under fire.’ Her stories and experiences from life-or-death situations offered a fascinating parallel to the high-stakes environment of sales, emphasizing the importance of holding one’s nerve in challenging situations.”
The High-Performance Speakers Agency is the UK’s leading bureau for teamwork, leadership, and marginal gains speakers. We hire speakers for corporate conferences and events across the world and cater to both in-person occasions and online webinars. Our roster includes sportspeople, business leaders, adventurers and more, to ensure audiences of all industries receive tailored, impactful advice on optimised performance.
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